# Vellum vs Grok Bot > Personal AI assistant vs xAI's AI Agent > Last updated: August 20, 2026 > Comparison: https://www.vellum.ai/compare-assistants/vellum-vs-grok-bot ## Overview Vellum is a personal AI assistant with free hosting that can use in your browser, on your Mac, iPhone, or any communication platforms like Slack and Telegram. Send it emails, give it phone calls, and text it with your number. Grok Bot is xAI's latest AI agent developed with Cursor ecosystem that runs named Bots on a persistent cloud computer with browser, filesystem, terminal, connectors, and durable state. At a glance they can seem similar, but the differences come from the architecture underneath. ## The contenders ### Vellum Website: https://vellum.ai Vellum is a voice-first personal AI assistant that learns how you work and can improve itself around your habits. Its companion works alongside you in real time, or takes on longer tasks in the background. It follows you across devices and apps with one shared memory, and can run in Vellum Cloud or on your own machine. Why choose Vellum: - Model agnostic: Use any frontier AI model, open or proprietary, and switch anytime. - Truly yours: Give it a name and personality. It learns you, your work, and your tools. - Self-improving: Gets better the more you use it, with one memory across every device. - Private by design: Credentials stay secure, and you choose where your data lives, including self-hosting. - Built for busy business owners: Offload work and make more time for life. ### Grok Bot Website: https://grok.com Grok Bot is xAI's latest AI agent, developed with the Cursor ecosystem. It runs named Bots on a cloud hosted virtual machine with browser, filesystem, terminal, connectors, and apps, with multiple Bots sharing one computer. Why choose Grok Bot: - Each Bot gets its own cloud computer with a browser, terminal, and file system - Bots can use websites and apps the way a person would, even without an API - Named Bots remember your files, logins, and preferences between sessions - Connect Gmail, Drive, Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, and Salesforce, plus custom tools via MCP ## The scorecard ### channels Vellum: 9 surfaces, one memory iOS app with Home Screen widgets, native Mac app, web app, voice, email, Slack, Telegram, Microsoft Teams, and Discord, now an official channel with a setup wizard. Sent messages can be edited in place in Slack and Telegram. Every surface shares the same memory and identity. Vellum runs natively on Mac and iOS with Home Screen widgets, plus web app, voice, email, Slack, Telegram, Microsoft Teams, and Discord. Sent messages can be edited in place in Slack and Telegram. Every surface shares the same memory, so you can start a task on your Mac and pick it up on your phone or in a chat. Grok Bot: Mac, Windows, and iOS access Available on macOS and Windows desktop, plus iOS 18 or later. No Linux, Android, or iPad. Grok Bot works on macOS and Windows desktop, with iOS support requiring iOS 18 or later. There is no Linux desktop, Android, or iPad support. ### execution Vellum: One sentence to real output Build me a habit tracker gets you a working, interactive app in the conversation. Read this page uses the browser extension to read your open tabs and act on the page you are looking at. Call the dentist and reschedule places an actual phone call with its own voice. Grok Bot: Autonomous cloud computer execution Runs tasks inside a remote virtual machine with browser, terminal, and file access. Executes multi-step workflows in the cloud while you are away. Grok Bot executes work inside an isolated cloud virtual machine with dedicated browser, terminal, and file system environments. It can run multi-step web and file tasks autonomously without keeping your local machine active. ### hosting Vellum: On-device, managed cloud, or self-hosted Run on-device as a native Mac app, on Vellum's managed cloud, or self-host on your own VPS. Vellum gives you the full range: run the native Mac app entirely on your own hardware, use Vellum Cloud for managed uptime and cross-device sync, or self-host on your own VPS for full infrastructure control. Grok Bot: Persistent cloud computer Grok Bot runs on a cloud hosted virtual machine, with no ability to self-host. Grok Bot runs on a cloud hosted virtual machine with browser, filesystem, terminal, and apps. There is no option to self-host or run Grok Bot on your own hardware. ### integrations Vellum: 50+ managed OAuth integrations Native agent skills plus 1-click integrations with 50+ services through managed OAuth, including native Calendly and Eventbrite. Your assistant acts in real services without you touching tokens or API keys. Vellum connects to 50+ services through managed OAuth: Google, Slack, Notion, GitHub, Linear, Calendly, Eventbrite, and more. Your assistant acts in real services on your behalf without you handling tokens or API keys. Grok Bot: Official connectors and MCP Connect Gmail, Drive, Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, and Salesforce, plus custom tools via MCP. Grok Bot has built-in connectors for Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Drive, OneDrive, Outlook, Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and Salesforce. xAI also offers a broader connector catalog. Custom MCP servers are supported but must be reachable over the public internet. ### memory Vellum: Structured memory that builds itself, everywhere Vellum builds a structured memory of your projects, people, and preferences automatically, across every surface. It sharpens with every conversation and correction, and there is nothing to configure: no files to curate, no engine to pick, no embedding provider to wire up. Vellum builds a structured memory graph of your projects, people, and preferences across every surface. It sharpens over time through use and explicit corrections, so each conversation picks up where the last left off. Grok Bot: Durable cloud-computer state Each Bot keeps files, browser sessions, preferences, and learned skills on its cloud computer. Grok Bot stores files, browser sessions, preferences, learned skills, and routines on its cloud computer. Multiple Bots can share one computer, but how well that memory holds up over time is not proven. ### modularity Vellum: Adapts to you personally Builds its own skills, learns your tone, and adapts based on what you reward and correct. Install new skills from a growing library, or just ask and it figures out a way. Vellum adapts at the individual level: it learns your communication style, builds custom skills from your instructions, and updates its behavior based on your feedback. Each assistant is shaped by the specific person using it. Grok Bot: Named Bots and routines Create named Bots with specific jobs that learn your routines and run on schedules or triggers. Grok Bot lets you create named Bots with specific jobs, preferences, and learned skills. Bots can run routines on schedules or event triggers, and multiple Bots can work on one shared computer. ### open-source Vellum: Open source under MIT Open source under MIT license. Full codebase available on GitHub. Vellum is open source under the MIT license. The full codebase is on GitHub and can be self-hosted, audited, and extended. Grok Bot: Not open source Grok Bot is not open source. Grok Bot is not open source and has no public code repository. ### pricing Vellum: Free Base, paid from $30/mo Free Base plan with free credits to start. Paid plans from $30/mo (Mighty), $100 (Super), and $200 (Ultra) with pay-as-you-go credits, configurable compute and storage, and your assistant's own email and subdomain on higher tiers. Vellum offers a free Base plan with credits to start. Paid plans run from $30/mo (Mighty) to $100 (Super) and $200 (Ultra) with pay-as-you-go credits, configurable compute and storage, and a personal assistant email and subdomain on higher tiers. Grok Bot: Paid plan required 14-day free trial, then $200 per month. SuperGrok Heavy also includes Grok Bot access. Grok Bot is available through a 14-day free trial, then $200 per month. SuperGrok Heavy also includes Grok Bot access. Access is also available through Cursor Ultra or Cursor Teams Premium. ### privacy Vellum: Local or cloud, always yours Run locally on Mac, in Vellum Cloud, or self-host. Vellum never has access to your data on any deployment path. Vellum gives you three deployment paths: native Mac app on your own hardware, Vellum Cloud with per-customer isolation, or self-hosted on your own infrastructure. On every path, Vellum never has access to your data. Grok Bot: Data lives in the cloud Grok Bot requires cloud storage and does not support Cursor's Legacy Privacy Mode. Grok Bot requires cloud storage and does not support Cursor's Legacy Privacy Mode. Privacy and data-sharing choices are managed through your Cursor account settings and Cursor's privacy and security terms. ### schedules Vellum: Built-in scheduling, always running Built-in scheduling for daily briefings, weekly reports, and hourly checks that just run on a cadence. Vellum has native scheduling for recurring tasks: daily briefings, weekly reports, hourly checks. Scheduled tasks run in the cloud whether or not you have a session open. Grok Bot: Background schedules and triggers Bots can run tasks on schedules or triggers, even when your laptop is closed. Grok Bot supports background schedules and event triggers on its cloud computer. Bots can run routines while your laptop is closed. How well routines handle failures and changing conditions is not proven. ### security Vellum: Isolated credential vault Credentials live in an isolated vault and never enter the model layer, so prompt injection can't exfiltrate your keys. Every sensitive action asks permission with a risk badge before it runs, and guardian approvals land in one inbox. Vellum stores every connected service credential in an isolated vault that never touches the LLM inference layer. Prompt injection attacks cannot reach your API keys or OAuth tokens. Grok Bot: Approvals, Auto Review, and shared boundaries Approvals, auto-review rules, and secure handoffs keep sensitive actions under your control. Grok Bot can ask for approval before sending messages, publishing, purchasing, deleting, or changing production systems. Auto-review rules let you require approval or always allow specific actions. Passwords and verification codes go through a secure handoff, not chat. All Bots on your account share the same cloud computer, so separate Bots are not security boundaries. ### setup Vellum: Sign up and start talking No terminal, no API keys, no daemon. Voice-first onboarding is the default: your first experience is speaking, not configuring. Free, no credit card, up in minutes. Vellum setup is sign up and start talking. Create an account and your first sentence gets real output. Voice is the default first experience. No terminal, no config files, no API keys, no infrastructure to provision. Grok Bot: Requires a paid plan Requires an eligible SuperGrok Heavy or Cursor plan before you can create Bots. Grok Bot requires SuperGrok Heavy, Cursor Ultra, or Cursor Teams Premium before you can start. Built-in and catalog connectors use OAuth. Custom MCP servers use their own authentication and must be publicly reachable. ### storage Vellum: Storage Vellum Cloud: 3 GB RAM and 4 GB storage by default. Mac app runs on standard Mac hardware. Grok Bot: Cloud data storage required All files, browser sessions, and Bot state live in the cloud. No local storage option. Grok Bot stores all files, browser sessions, preferences, and Bot state on its cloud computer. There is no local storage option. Everything lives in the cloud. ### trust Vellum: Permissions you can see Every sensitive action asks first with a risk badge, guardian approvals land in one inbox, and you can export or delete your data at any time. The trust model is written down in the docs. Grok Bot: Approvals and Auto Review Configurable approval boundaries, auto-review rules for automated actions, and secure handoffs within the xAI ecosystem. Grok Bot includes configurable approval policies and an Auto Review mechanism that evaluates planned operations before execution. Security boundaries and credential storage are managed entirely within xAI cloud infrastructure. ## Where they split ### A persistent computer, or a managed assistant Grok Bot runs on a cloud computer with a browser, terminal, and file system. Bots can run scheduled tasks even when your laptop is closed. Vellum runs on your Mac, in free Vellum Cloud, or self-hosted. Built-in schedules handle recurring work without you managing a cloud computer. ### The surfaces where work continues Grok Bot works on macOS, Windows, and iOS 18 or later. Its cloud computer can also use apps and websites. Vellum works on Mac, iPhone, web, voice, email, Telegram, and Slack, all sharing one memory. Your assistant goes where your work already is. ### How each one remembers Grok Bot keeps files, browser sessions, preferences, and learned skills on its cloud computer. Vellum builds structured memory of your work, people, and preferences. Mac memory works on its own, while Vellum Cloud shares it across every device. ## Lingering questions ### Should I choose Vellum or Grok Bot for a personal AI assistant? Choose Vellum if you want a personal assistant with free cloud hosting, structured memory, and surfaces across Mac, iPhone, web, email, Telegram, Slack, and voice. Choose Grok Bot if you want an AI agent that runs on its own cloud computer with a browser, terminal, and file system. The decision comes down to whether you want an assistant that lives across your devices or an agent that works in the cloud. ### How much does Vellum cost compared with Grok Bot? Vellum includes free cloud hosting when you sign up. Paid plans upgrade your assistant's compute and storage: Mighty at $30 per month, Super at $100 per month plus a $10 platform fee, Ultra at $200 per month plus a $10 platform fee, and Custom. Usage and credits are separate. Grok Bot is available through a 14-day free trial, then $200 per month. SuperGrok Heavy also includes Grok Bot access. ### How hard is Grok Bot to set up compared with Vellum? Vellum setup is sign up and use in browser or download the MacOS or IOS app, sign in, and connect your tools through OAuth. No terminal or server required. Grok Bot requires an eligible SuperGrok Heavy or $200/mo paid plan, then you create and configure Bots on its cloud computer. Custom MCP servers must be reachable over the public internet. ### How does Grok Bot remember context between sessions? Grok Bot stores files, browser sessions, preferences, and learned skills on its cloud computer across sessions. Multiple Bots can share one computer. Vellum builds structured memory across conversations and surfaces. Mac memory works on its own, and Vellum Cloud shares memory across devices. Both products remember context, but how well each works in practice would need testing. ### What services can Grok Bot and Vellum connect to? Grok Bot connects to Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Drive, OneDrive, Outlook, Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and Salesforce through built-in connectors. It also supports custom MCP servers that must be publicly reachable. Vellum connects to your tools through managed OAuth and native skills. Check current availability for any specific service before choosing. ### Does Grok Bot work on iPhone, Android, Linux, or iPad? Grok Bot works on macOS, Windows, and iOS 18 or later. There is no Linux, Android, or iPad support. Vellum works on Mac, iPhone, web browser, voice, email, Telegram, and Slack. If you need an assistant thats always on, wherever you are on the surface of your choice, Vellum is the right choice. ### Grok Bot vs Vellum data privacy: where is my information stored? Grok Bot requires cloud storage and does not support Cursor's Legacy Privacy Mode. Privacy settings are managed through your Cursor account. Vellum Cloud stores your data in Vellum infrastructure, and relevant context reaches model and tool providers. Vellum also supports self-hosting with analytics opt-out, which keeps your data from Vellum except for those providers. ### Can I self-host Vellum or Grok Bot? Vellum is MIT open source and supports self-hosting and has free cloud hosting with tiers to upgrade your assistant's machine in the cloud. Grok Bot is a cloud hosted only agent, and no self-hosted Grok Bot deployment is available. ### Is Grok Bot or Vellum better for developers? Grok Bot gives developers a cloud computer with a terminal, browser, file system, and MCP support. You can create named Bots for specific jobs, run routines on schedules, and work across tools without clean APIs. Vellum gives developers managed OAuth, skills, persistent memory across surfaces, and deployment choice between local, cloud, and self-hosted. If you want a cloud-computer teammate you configure yourself, try Grok Bot. If you want a managed assistant with model-provider flexibility and no infrastructure to maintain, choose Vellum. ### Is Grok Bot or Vellum better for non-technical users? Vellum is the easier starting point if you are not technical. Download the Mac app, sign in, and connect your tools through OAuth. No terminal, server, or cloud configuration required. Grok Bot requires an eligible paid plan and a cloud-computer setup before you can create Bots. For non-technical users who want a personal assistant without managing infrastructure, Vellum is the simpler choice. --- Full comparison index: https://www.vellum.ai/compare-assistants Try Vellum: https://www.vellum.ai